Mount Gay has introduced two ultra‑mature rums designed to showcase the distillery’s long tradition of tropical ageing in Barbados.
The Exceptionally Aged collection, aged 15 and 25 years respectively, have been distilled, matured, blended and bottled entirely at the distillery’s home in St. Lucy, and offer an intriguing opportunity to explore how the challenging Barbadian climate shapes rum over extended periods of time.
Widely recognised as the oldest continuously operating rum distillery, Mount Gay’s history stretches back to 1703. Its signature style has long been defined by Barbadian molasses, coral-filtered water and maturation in American oak, with the island’s warm climate accelerating interaction between spirit and cask.
Significantly, these are the first aged statement releases from Mount Gay, marking a major shift in how the distillery presents its aged stock.
Mount Gay’s signature style has long been defined by Barbadian molasses, coral-filtered water and maturation in American oak
Mount Gay 15 & 25 Year Old tasting notes
Both Exceptionally Aged expressions have matured exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels, a decision intended to showcase the distillery’s house character rather than the influence of secondary finishes or exotic cask treatments.
Leading the collection is Mount Gay Exceptionally Aged 25 Year Old, bottled at 47% ABV. Distilled in 1999 in a single column still under the supervision of former Master Blender Jerry Edwards, it spent a quarter of a century in ex-American oak bourbon casks before bottling. Just 2,376 bottles will be released worldwide, priced at £165.
We’ve tried both, and they are sensational. On the nose, the 25YO offers aromas of vanilla and red fruits, with a palate stacked with rich caramel, dark chocolate and citrus notes.
Its 15 Year Old stablemate is bottled at 43% ABV and limited to 4,942 bottles, priced at £75. In terms of taste and value the 15 YO a must-own.
On the nose expect bright grapefruit with notes of buttery pastry, before the palate moves towards butterscotch, vanilla and caramel. The result is approachable while still offering the concentration and depth expected of a long-aged rum.
Master Blender Trudiann Branker says the collection is a tribute to the generations of blenders who laid down these casks decades ago with no certainty of when, or even if, they would eventually be bottled.
“These rums offer a taste as close to what comes directly from the barrel as possible, a perfect representation of our legacy and the unique tropical climate of Barbados”
Mount Gay Exceptionally Aged 15 is available now, while Exceptionally Aged 25 follows in July through Master of Malt and selected independent merchants.
One of the more intrigung new whiskies to launch this month is Cù Bòcan Creation #9. The product of American virgin oak and Manzanilla sherry casks, it’s a sweet and sour treat notable both for its flavour profile and affordability. But what’s the deal with Cù Bòcan and the distillery behind the label? It turns…
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Mount Gay has introduced two ultra‑mature rums designed to showcase the distillery’s long tradition of tropical ageing in Barbados.
The Exceptionally Aged collection, aged 15 and 25 years respectively, have been distilled, matured, blended and bottled entirely at the distillery’s home in St. Lucy, and offer an intriguing opportunity to explore how the challenging Barbadian climate shapes rum over extended periods of time.
Widely recognised as the oldest continuously operating rum distillery, Mount Gay’s history stretches back to 1703. Its signature style has long been defined by Barbadian molasses, coral-filtered water and maturation in American oak, with the island’s warm climate accelerating interaction between spirit and cask.
Significantly, these are the first aged statement releases from Mount Gay, marking a major shift in how the distillery presents its aged stock.
Mount Gay 15 & 25 Year Old tasting notes
Both Exceptionally Aged expressions have matured exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels, a decision intended to showcase the distillery’s house character rather than the influence of secondary finishes or exotic cask treatments.
Leading the collection is Mount Gay Exceptionally Aged 25 Year Old, bottled at 47% ABV. Distilled in 1999 in a single column still under the supervision of former Master Blender Jerry Edwards, it spent a quarter of a century in ex-American oak bourbon casks before bottling. Just 2,376 bottles will be released worldwide, priced at £165.
We’ve tried both, and they are sensational. On the nose, the 25YO offers aromas of vanilla and red fruits, with a palate stacked with rich caramel, dark chocolate and citrus notes.
Its 15 Year Old stablemate is bottled at 43% ABV and limited to 4,942 bottles, priced at £75. In terms of taste and value the 15 YO a must-own.
On the nose expect bright grapefruit with notes of buttery pastry, before the palate moves towards butterscotch, vanilla and caramel. The result is approachable while still offering the concentration and depth expected of a long-aged rum.
Master Blender Trudiann Branker says the collection is a tribute to the generations of blenders who laid down these casks decades ago with no certainty of when, or even if, they would eventually be bottled.
“These rums offer a taste as close to what comes directly from the barrel as possible, a perfect representation of our legacy and the unique tropical climate of Barbados”
Mount Gay Exceptionally Aged 15 is available now, while Exceptionally Aged 25 follows in July through Master of Malt and selected independent merchants.
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One of the more intrigung new whiskies to launch this month is Cù Bòcan Creation #9. The product of American virgin oak and Manzanilla sherry casks, it’s a sweet and sour treat notable both for its flavour profile and affordability. But what’s the deal with Cù Bòcan and the distillery behind the label? It turns…
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Pusser’s Rum is bringing its founding recipe back to life with a limited-edition bottling inspired by the extraordinary story of its founder, Charles Tobias. The new Pusser’s Rum Founder’s Reserve Limited Edition meticulously recreates the first rum blended by Tobias in 1979, the recipe that helped establish the brand’s reputation for characterful Caribbean rum. Founder’s…
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